'Jeffersons' Co-Star Franklin Cover Passes Away; ABC Changes Tuesday Line-Up; Wonder Years to DVD?

Friday, February 10, 2006

'Jeffersons' Co-Star Franklin Cover Passes Away; ABC Changes Tuesday Line-Up; Wonder Years to DVD?

Franklin Cover who played Tom Willis on the long running '70s & '80s sitcom The Jeffersons passed away on Sunday in New Jersey. Cover died of pneumonia Sunday at the Lillian Booth Actor's Fund of America home in Englewood, N.J., said publicist Dale Olson. He had been living at the home since December 2005 while recuperating from a heart condition. Cover was best known for his role as Tom Willis, who was in an interracial marriage with a black woman, in The Jeffersons. Cover guest starred on many TV series over the years including The Jackie Gleason Show, The Love Boat, 227, Who's the Boss?, Living Single, Coach, Mad About You and Will & Grace.
Hopefully TV Land or another network (maybe TV One?) will air a tribute marathon of Mr. Cover featuring his finest Jefferson episodes. Mr. Cover was 77.

ABC announced today that they will change their Tuesday line-up for the remainder of sweeps (Feb. 14, 21 & 28). Commander in Chief will be off the line-up to avoid the Olympics. Additional airings According to Jim and George Lopez will air in the 9 p.m. hour on these dates. Commander in Chief will return April 18 for its final seven episodes of the season. Chief has been one of the highest rated rookies this year, but lately has faltered in adults 18-49. I still feel confident the show will do well when it returns with less competition. And I also feel it will return next season, but on a different night and time, I'm sure.

Also, we have word that The Wonder Years is in the works for DVD from 20th Century Fox! It's about time that sitcom starring Fred Savage is coming. No additional details yet, but stay tuned! UPDATE 2/11/06: I spoke to Gord of TVShowsonDVD.com and his sources tell him that there are no new updates on this set. So, now we have no idea if the set is really in the works or not. The source I spoke to at Fox said it was in the works, but his source says it isn't. So we are now just confused. We'll try to get more details if it is indeed in the works at all now. Sorry about this!
Also, Ally McBeal fans don't fret, the show is coming to DVD but it has not been announced just when yet. Many fans saw the announcement at TVShowsonDVD.com for Boston Legal for May 23 and wondered if Ally was coming that day, too? It doesn't seem like it will, but it IS coming sometime soon. So that is good!

Sitcoms Airing Tonight / Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows

Friday, November 22

Happy's Place - "Happy's House" (NBC, 8:00PM ET/PT)
Bobbie agrees to take Isabella to Happy's house in search of a connection to their late father, leading Bobbie to worry about what they may find; Gabby hopes to strike it rich by searching through Happy's penny collection looking for a rarity.

Lopez vs Lopez - "Lopez vs Orlando" (NBC, 8:30PM ET/PT)
When Rosie's spoiled nephew Orlando visits, Mayan sets out to expose Rosie's cultural gender bias; George wants to teach Chance the value of hard work, but, instead, helps him create a toxic work environment.

Bob Hearts Abishola - "Whacking the Mole" (The CW, 8:00PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
After Abishola has a romantic dream about Bob, she tries to suppress her feelings for him and pays the price.

Bob Hearts Abishola - "Ralph Lauren and Fish" (The CW, 8:30PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Bob and Abishola finally go on a proper date, which is interrupted by Dottie's medical emergency.

Bob Hearts Abishola - "Tough Like a Laundromat Washing Machine" (The CW, 9:00PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Bob hires Abishola to take care of Dottie in his home while she recovers; Dottie has a hard time dealing with her limitations and takes it out on Abishola.

Bob Hearts Abishola - "Useless Potheads" (The CW, 9:30PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
With Abishola only helping part-time, Bob, Douglas and Christina struggle to take care of Dottie.

Wizards Beyond Waverly Place - "Wiz-Taken Identity" (Disney Channel, 8:00PM ET/PT)
When Billie struggles with a spell, Roman says he could do it if he was a wizard: to prove him wrong, Billie uses a Power Glass to transfer her powers to Roman.

Wizards Beyond Waverly Place - " Ain't Gnome Party Like a Wizard Party" (Disney Channel, 8:30PM ET/PT)
Justin embraces mortality to live with his family; his new challenge arises when Alex introduces Billie, a wizard-in-training, seeking Justin's mentorship.

Complete TV Listings

Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of November 18)

Friday, November 22

Kerry Washington (UnPrisoned) - Watch Kerry on a repeat of Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
Jimmy O. Yang (Interior Chinatown/Space Force/Silicon Valley) - Jimmy is a guest on a repeat of Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
Ariana Grande (Sam & Cat/Victorious) - Ariana appears on a repeat of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC.
Andy Richter (Andy Barker, P.I./Quintuplets/Andy Richter Controls the Universe), Thomas Lennon (The Odd Couple/Sean Saves the World/Reno 911!) and Aparna Nancherla (Lopez vs Lopez/Search Party/Corporate) - Andy, Thomas and Aparna are guests on a repeat of After Midnight at 12:37am on CBS.
Keke Palmer (Scream Queens/True Jackson, VP) - Keke talks about her new book Master of Me: The Secret to Controlling Your Narrative on The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.
Andrew Rannells (Girls/The New Normal) - Drew is joined by the hilarious Andrew to celebrate all things Thanksgiving on The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.
Rosie Perez (Human Resources/Search Party) - Rosie tells Sherri about her new Apple TV+ psychological thriller Before on Sherri, so check your local listings.
Candace Cameron Bure (Fuller House/Full House) - Candace will be on New York Living on WPIX in New York at 10:15am.